The Association of Kejetia Chemicals Sellers has appealed to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the government for dialogue and reconsideration following the sudden ban on the sale of combustible and explosive materials in the Kumasi Kejetia market, as well as an ultimatum to evacuate.

The crackdown, which KMA said is a measure to prevent fire outbreaks in the busy Kumasi Kejetia Market, has left hundreds of traders without a source of income, facing mounting financial pressure as they are given until Sunday, 1st March 2026, to vacate the market.

The KMA has ordered traders selling combustible and explosive materials to vacate by 1st March 2026, and advised them to consult the firefighters at the Assembly for a space to sell at the Racecourse market while discussions are ongoing with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to build suitable containers for them.

Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi attributed the recurrent fire outbreaks in the multimillion-dollar market, which have destroyed shops and traders' wares, to the sale of combustible and explosive materials, viewing these as the triggers of the fires.

At a press conference in Kumasi today, the leader of the Association, Linda Owusuaah, expressed deep concern over the "outright ban and closure" of businesses without what they describe as prior education or proper consultation preceding the decision.

While the KMA maintains that these substances pose a significant fire risk within the market environment, traders argue that their livelihoods are being unfairly jeopardised and that they require more time and a properly prepared place to relocate.

She emphasised that their products are not inherently dangerous if managed correctly and called for a partnership with the KMA and the government, rather than a total ban from the market.

To address this issue, she proposed a framework involving mandatory safety training and education for all traders, the development of standardised storage and handling guidelines, and the creation of clear regulations that balance public safety with economic survival.

While Ms Owusuaah urged fellow traders to remain patient and united as leadership seeks a meeting with the KMA, she also appealed to the public for understanding, noting that their work contributes significantly to the cleanliness and health of households and industries nationwide.